Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew

1 . Stage

Season the beef with black pepper. Coat the beef with 2 tablespoons of the flour. Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef in 2 batches and cook until it's well browned, stirring often.

2 . Stage

Place the potatoes, carrots, onions and garlic into a 5-quart slow cooker. Top with the beef. Add 3 cups of the stock, Worcestershire, thyme and bay leaf.

3 . Stage

Cover and cook on LOW for 10 to 11 hours (or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours) or until the beef is fork-tender. Remove and discard the bay leaf.

4 . Stage

Stir the remaining flour and stock in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth. Stir the flour mixture and peas in the cooker. Increase the heat to HIGH. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the mixture boils and thickens.

5 . Stage

Serving suggestion: Serve with buttermilk biscuits and tossed salad topped with Ranch dressing.